Monday, October 25, 2010

Writer and Sour Patch Kids... it's happening

Quick note: Can you believe I've blogged for25days straight! I'm nuts! I'll also be glad for a break, but NaBloWriMo has been a blast!! Well I am looking to finish it strong!

You decide you want to be a writer.You tell the world. (hypothetically)Everyone asks what you've written.You realize you've written nothing.So you write something.You tell the world AGAIN. (obvs you haven't learned your lesson yet)Once asked what you've written you have an answer.A novel.What's it called they ask next.You hadn't thought of a title so you don't respond. (don't be rude and walk away talk about the weather)You think of a title.You tell the world AGAIN. (because you're an idiot)Once you tell them you've written a novel and the title they ask another question.Do you make J.K. Rowling wages? What's it like being famous?Then you realize, they think being a writer means you have to be published.

Some moments are sweet, and some moments are sour. It's sort of like a sourpatch kids. Little. Bastards. Had any of these moments lately?

I can totally relate to this...my biggest problem is when someone says 'what's your book about?' and I just stare and stutter and feel defeated because...um what is my book about?! I need to work on my elevator pitch!

Lucky for me I have been holed up in the house all month so I dont have to talk to people. I too am waiting for an editor but am not sour yet, time is frozen in my mind as long as she gives me good news we will be fine

How about this. I run into my HS crush at the Supermarket, with his perky little wife and adorable kids. He asks what I'm doing and I don't want to admit that I have a soul sucking day job, so I say, "I'm a writer." he says: "Oh really, what have you written?". I'm realizing how this is going to sound but what the heck "Um, Zombie Rabbit". He/wife/kids all get that smile that just involves the corners of the mouth. "Good luck with that, see you 'round" They bolt.

The Man loooooves giving me crap about my writing. When I mentioned Alex's book coming out, he said "Oh, that's pretty cool...now how long did it take him to write that?" The term shoot daggers from the eyes came true right then.

I'm cautious about who I tell simply because people assume if I'm a writer I must have a book published. They seem so let down when I tell them I don't have book published but I have had several articles and stories published for children. At which point I can almost here them thinking..."Oh, not a real writer then."

"Sour patch kids." Love it! I read a post recently where a poet lies. telling people they write novels. It's hard not to justify writing in our society's that seems to honour the corporate ladder more.

This is hilarious! And sooooooooo true! Every time someone even asks "How's your writing coming?" I cringe. It's mine! Mine! When it's published, you'll know. But then, why did I tell them in the first place? Doh!

Way to finish that one strong hun! I was smiling and nodding the whole time and then I burst into laughter.

So far, the only people who really know are my family (who are crazy amazing) and my close friends (who are encouraging but we tend to NOT talk overtly much about it) and my blogging friends (who are crazy amazing and understand!!!).

I've avoided these situations for the most part - except once with an ex-boyfriend a year ago but you see where that got him.....

Lol!! That's why I always add "aspiring" or "well, I'd like to be..." tags to that whole "I'm a writer" thing. The only one I have to keep explaining the "rich and famous" part to is my daughter. She's already spent all my future riches. I keep telling her..."If I get published, that guarantees nothing!" But, like her mom - she's a dreamer. :)

Awesome job on the 25 posts straight! I don't think I even have 25 posts TOTAL! But, thanks again and again for checking out the few that I do have out there. You're awesome! :)

*Glares across the room at husband*. Ahem, yeah I have had those moments and I wonder why...actually I know why. Darling man of mine loves bragging to the world I'm a writer. He opens that can of worms daily. Me? I end up with a blank stare and idiotic smile, silently cursing him.

I honestly, haven't figured out how to talk to people about my writing...yet. (Hugs)Indigo

Some of my closer friends and family knew, but I waited to tell people I was trying to get published until I got an agent. But even with that accomlishment, so many people just don't understand until you have a book on a shelf. And they seem to think that should be easy or something... ?? ;)

I don't really tell the world I'm a writer, because when people ask, I tell them about the job that I have 9/10 of the time, the job I love, the job that pays the bills, I'm a teacher. So the whole writer thing is an easy one to avoid for me. Even on my blog, it says "Writer... maybe?" Lol.

I think of myself as a writer. One who writes. I guess if I were actively in pursuit of publication at the moment, I'd call myself "aspiring". Lots of people who know me know that I write. Unluckily, I don't have the time to be as serious about it as I'd like to be... but I guess luckily I don't have to worry about explaining it to anyone! ;)

Ok, I'm not a writer, unless you count a bit of blogging, and I'm not talking about 25 consecutive days either!I'm probably guilty of confusing writer/published thing too, but not in a sour patch kids kind of way. I think Lynn is on the ball re the corporate world, wher value is confused with economic value.I'm a teacher, and we face similar issues in education where economists are constantly talking about "value added"...to young people??? And trying to quantify it??We do suffer for our art, don't we.There's a poetry giveaway over at my place if you want some consolation!